Polish deputies March 12 passed a special resolution to mark the 15th anniversary
of Poland joining NATO, stressing that the military alliance, together with the European Union, is the main guarantor of Poland’s security.

Deputies thanked everyone who had contributed to Poland joining the alliance, underlining that for 15 years Poland has been meeting its legal, military and political obligations arising from NATO membership. “During this period, in keeping with our declarations, we supported an open-door policy during the process of NATO expansion,” said the resolution.

An official document explaining the rationale behind the resolution says that all the biggest players in Polish politics in the 1990s supported the country’s efforts to join NATO , irrespective of internal political differences.

“The main political forces in the 1990s displayed political maturity,” which made it possible to achieve one of Poland’s most important strategic policy goals, says the document. It adds that EU membership is another key guarantee of Poland’s security. Deputies emphasized the special role of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, which according to the document ”is not a rival to NATO—it complements the defense capabilities of the alliance.”

Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary were officially admitted to NATO on March 12, 1999 in a ceremony held in the town of Independence, Missouri, in the United States.